Maricopa in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Lakeview Gusher No.1

California Historical Landmark

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Lakeview Gusher No.1 Marker

Inscription. America's most spectacular gusher blew in here on March 14, 1910. Initially 18,000 barrels per day, the flow later reached an uncontrolled peak of 100,000 barrels per day, completely destroying the derrick. This Union Oil Company well produced nine million barrels of oil in 18 months.

Erected 1952 by Moicene Parlor No. 228 N.D.G.W., Kern County Historical Society, Kern County Museum. (Marker Number 485.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1772.

Location. 35° 5.486′ N, 119° 24.066′ W. Marker is in Maricopa, California, in Kern County. It is on Petroleum Club Road half a mile north of Kerto Road, on the left when traveling north. Located 1½ miles north of Maricopa. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Maricopa CA 93252, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin

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Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lakeview Gusher #1 (a few steps from this marker); Maricopa's Jail (approx. 2 miles away); Wooden Pacific Pumping Unit (approx. 2 miles away); Midway Sunset Oilfield (approx. 3.9 miles away); West Kern Oil Museum (approx. 3.9 miles away); Midway Cemetery - 25 Hill (approx. 4.4 miles away); Duplex Pump (approx. 4.7 miles away); Oil Worker Monument (approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Maricopa.

Photographed by Denise Boose, April 6, 2012

2. Lakeview Gusher No.1 Marker

Photographed by Denise Boose, April 6, 2012

3. Lakeview Gusher No.1 Marker

Lakeview Gusher foundation image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, April 6, 2012

4. Lakeview Gusher foundation

Lakeview Gusher Pipe image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, April 6, 2012

5. Lakeview Gusher Pipe

Interpretive Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, April 6, 2012

6. Interpretive Sign

Photo Displayed on History Board image. Click for full size.

7. Photo Displayed on History Board

Lakeview Gusher

8. Photo Displayed on History Board

Lakeview Gusher Oilworkers

Photographed by Denise Boose, April 6, 2012

9. Photo Displayed on History Board

Maricopa - the early days

Lakeview Gusher and Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 15, 2025

10. Lakeview Gusher and Markers

Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 4,692 times since then and 239 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 4, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on March 26, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on April 10, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 10. submitted on October 16, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.